Midweek Update May 14 with Dr. Robert McWhirter and Luke Hagen

MITCHELL — Dr. Robert McWhirter visited Mitchell for the first time 40 years ago in May 1985.

He decided in August that year to move to Mitchell and has called the community home since.

McWhirter operated the Mitchell Orthopedic Clinic from 1985 until his retirement in 2013 and was heavily involved in athletics in the community during that time. He served as Dakota Wesleyan University's team physician and regularly played a large role with Mitchell High School athletics. He's been inducted to both DWU and MHS athletic hall of fames.

On Sunday, May 11, 2025, he was honored at during DWU's commencement with an honorary Doctor of Science.

"I'm very pleased but there's a lot that goes into it that goes out to the people who helped me get to where I am now, people in the community who worked for me, athletes I took care of and adults I took care of, so it's a joint effort," McWhirter said.

(A special thanks to Jordan Glanzer, whose photos of McWhirter appear in the video that he shot for DWU).

Luke Hagen was promoted to editor of the Mitchell Republic in 2014. He has worked for the newspaper since 2008 and has covered sports, outdoors, education, features and breaking news. He can be reached at lhagen@mitchellrepublic.com.